Baxter Center Lab Grants Program

The BCSE Lab Grants Program seeks to expand the capacity of biotechnology equipment and supplies across Cook and Lake County middle and high schools serving under-resourced communities. This program complements the Baxter Box Program by allowing us to support more individualized and specialized classroom needs. We fund requests for lab equipment and supplies in the $100-$1,000 range.

Who is eligible to apply?
Educators in public Cook and Lake County middle and high schools may apply. We will prioritize schools that serve under-resourced communities, as demonstrated by a high percentage of low-income students.

What are some examples of equipment and supplies that can be funded?

  • Pipetting supplies (fixed volume pipettes, adjustable volume pipettes, learn to pipette kits such as miniPCR’s microliter madness) 
  • Gel electrophoresis (standard or blue light gel systems, DIY kits such as miniPCR Bandit) 
  • Visualization tools (light boxes, miniPCR p51 viewers) 
  • Heating tools (microwave, hotplates, heat blocks, thermal cyclers, incubators) 
  • Lab tools (stirrers, centrifuges, scales, beakers, flasks, tube racks) 
  • Plastic consumables (Petri dishes, pipette tips, centrifuge tubes, PCR tubes) 
  • Room temperature reagents (blood typing kits, dye-based gel electrophoresis kits from miniPCR, agarose, buffer, acetone) 
  • Microscopes 
  • PPE (lab coats, goggles, gloves, UV sanitizing cabinet) 
  • Other items (let us know what you are thinking!) 

How does this process work?

  1. Complete a short application with your requested materials and anticipated classroom impact, typically due at the end of February. 
  2. Applications are reviewed by BCSE staff, and applicants are notified of decisions by the end of March. 
  3. The BCSE team will confirm details and order materials.  
  4. The BCSE team will work with you to deliver materials by the beginning of the next school year, typically in August. 
  5. The BCSE team will follow up with you to see how the new supplies work out! 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much money can I apply for? 
    • We expect requests to fall within the $100-$1,000 range, but if you need something more or less expensive, tell us why! We will consider all compelling needs.
  • What are my responsibilities if I receive funding? 
    • We ask that you use the materials and report back to us on how things went. The report will be a quick email or survey along with a request for something that we can share through social media: a thank you note, a quick story, short video, or photos approved for distribution.  
  • Can I receive materials multiple years?  
    • At this time, we will be prioritizing applicants who have not received lab grants from us in the past.